Tough government action on student visas comes into effect

Yesterday marked the implementation of restrictions on student visa routes, as part of the government's ongoing efforts to reduce migration and address misuse of the immigration system. International students commencing courses this month will no longer have the option to bring family members, except for postgraduate research courses and courses with government-funded scholarships. These changes, initially announced in May, aim to prevent individuals from using student visas as a loophole to work in the UK, resulting in an anticipated decrease of approximately 140,000 arrivals.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), net migration from June 2022 to June 2023 was estimated at 672,000. In the year ending September 2023, 152,980 visas were issued to dependants of students, representing a significant surge of over 930% from the 14,839 visas issued in the year ending September 2019.

These modifications to student-dependant rules are part of a broader set of measures designed to reduce overall migration to sustainable levels and combat exploitation of the UK's immigration system. Home Secretary James Cleverly emphasized the government's commitment to swiftly decrease migration, control borders, and prevent manipulation of the immigration system.

Tom Pursglove MP, Minister for Legal Migration and the Border, highlighted the surge in dependants accompanying students contributing to unsustainable migration levels. The government's actions to restrict dependants on the student visa route aim to protect public services while enabling the arrival of students who significantly contribute to the economy.

The government, concurrently addressing illegal migration, has seen a 35% reduction in small boat arrivals this year, a 70% increase in illegal working raids, and the signing of migration agreements with various countries. The changes to student visas aim to strike a balance by preserving the attractiveness of the UK's higher education sector while eliminating opportunities for institutions to prioritize immigration over education.

In December, additional measures were announced to reduce legal migration, including ending the abuse of health and care visas, increasing salary thresholds for skilled workers, and raising the minimum income requirement for family sponsorship. The comprehensive approach, along with the measures on student dependants, is projected to result in the largest-ever reduction of around 300,000 arrivals to the UK, with gradual implementation throughout early 2024 to allow affected individuals sufficient time to prepare for the forthcoming changes.

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